England head coach Brian McDermott has made one change to his 19-man squad for Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup match against France in Perth, which kicks off at 7.35am BST. England were thrashed by Tonga in their opener and face Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on October 30.
England men’s team news
AJ Brimson keeps the No 1 jersey at full-back, with Jack Welsby again named among the interchange. Luke Thompson starts at prop in the absence of Morgan Knowles, who was injured in the lead-up to the defeat to Tonga.
Veteran centre Kallum Watkins is among the reserves as he chases a cap at his fourth World Cup, while Mikey Lewis returns to the bench after missing out on a place in the squad last time out.
Each side may name a six-player bench in each game, but only four of those players can be brought on. Against Tonga, Welsby and Warrington Wolves winger Matty Ashton were the unused substitutes. Wigan Warriors speedster Zach Eckersley was initially selected to start again, but Ashton replaced him on Thursday.
England: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley.
Interchange: Jez Litten, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Mikey Lewis.
France make changes
For France, Toulouse playmaker Thomas Lacans has been promoted to start at five-eighth, with Cesar Rouge moving to the bench. Romeo Tropis comes in at centre, pushing Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet out to the wing and sending Leo Darrelatour out of the side.
Skipper Ben Garcia moves from hooker to lock, and Amir Bourouh joins the starting side at No 9. Julian Bousquet comes in at prop for Lambert Belmas, who drops to the bench.
France: Arthur Mourgue, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Latrell Siegwalt, Roméo Tropis, Benjamin Laguerre, Thomas Lacans, Théo Fages, Romain Navarrete, Amir Bourouh, Julian Bousquet, Arthur Romano, Mathieu Jussaume, Benjamin Garcia (c).
Interchange: César Rougé, Lambert Belmas, Mathieu Cozza, Louis Grossemy.
England Women face Australia
Stuart Barrow has made a surprise call at half-back, selecting 19-year-old Jenna Foubister to wear the No 7 and partner Isabel Rowe against Australia on Saturday. Foubister was named Woman of Steel after a standout year in the Super League and came off the bench in last week’s win over Wales. Georgia Roche moves to the interchange as a result.
Molly Jones replaces Georgia Wilson in the centres, while Liv Wood steps in at prop for Mary Coleman. Lucie Sams is the new face on the interchange.
England Women: Fran Goldthorpe, Anna Davies, Molly Jones, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Izzy Rowe, Jenna Foubister, Liv Wood, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.
Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Georgia Roche, Lucie Sams.
Australia’s changes
Dragons recruit Makenzie Weale and former sevens star Sariah Paki are in line for Test debuts after being named on the interchange. Coach Jess Skinner has made several changes to the side that defeated Samoa last week. Abbi Church comes in on the wing, Julia Robinson shifts to centre, and Jess Sergis has been rested. Tiana Penitani Gray lines up in the back-row with Kezie Apps rested, and Quincy Dodd has come onto the bench.
Australia Women: Tamika Upton, Jaime Chapman, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly (c), Abbi Church, Jocelyn Kelleher, Tarryn Aiken, Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Simaima Taufa, Tiana Penitani Gray, Shaylee Bent, Olivia Kernick.
Interchange: Quincy Dodd, Sarah Togatuki, Makenzie Weale, Sariah Paki.